Beautiful Chile is a destination of prized contrasts with dramatic landscapes that vary from the starkness of the Atacama Desert, the world’s driest, in the north and the Patagonian ice fields in the south to fertile valleys, forests as old as time, temperamental volcanoes and unspoilt beaches. These regions are set along the incredible geography of Chile, which is a wonder in itself. The country has been hailed as the world’s longest, whilst its width of just 175 kilometres, defies logic in it slenderness. Stretching from the centre of South America right to its base, Chile is home to a vibrant melting pot of cultures that include charming alpaca herders, the rough and tumble huaso countrymen of Patagonia and the white-collar society of Santiago, all engaging and incredibly gracious in their hospitality.